What Screw Do I Need?

Screw TypesThere are basically 3 different types of rack screws. 10-32 and 12-24 are used by different manufacturers in the United States. It really depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers use all 12-24, others use all 10-32, and some use a mixture of both.

The M6 (which stands for 6MM) is used in most of the world, outside the U.S. Even thogh the 6MM is non-US, there are some M6 racks brought into the US. There is also a 5M (5MM) that is occasionally used outside the United States.

To figure out what type of screw you need for a rack you currently have, take out an existing screw and hold it up to a ruler. If you count 8 threads in 1/4" (32 threads per inch) it is a 10-32 screw (which is smaller in diameter than the 12-24 or M6 screw.) A 12-24 screw will have 6 threads in 1/4" (24 threads per inch.) A 6MM looks similar to a 12-24, however, it will have 25.4 threads per inch (or 1mm per thread, known as thread pitch.)

Our ProductsAll of the shelves we sell come with both 12-24 and 10-32 screws. This allows you to install the shelf in either format rack.Our swing out chassis and cabinets use 10-32 screws. We also have 4ft and 7ft two and four post racks that use 12-24 screws.